to their home yard watering systems. These can be adjusted as to the quantity
of fertilizer added to the water. However, it seems this might be quite a bit
of fertilizer applied to the plants. Yet, a neighbor is very enthusiastic about
the benefits. Can you advise me on this subject?
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| Simple fertilizer injector using a stock tank of a fertilizer dissolved in water. Here we are preparing the stock solution to be injected into the irrigation line using the Venturi effect. In Kosovo. |
A. These fertilizer systems have different methods of
injecting fertilizer into the water. They range in different prices based upon
how precise they can deliver fertilizer. Collectively we call them fertilizer
injectors. They can be adjusted so they deliver a very tiny amount of
fertilizer or deliver a lot of fertilizer at one time and then turned off until needed again.
.JPG) |
| The fertilizer was injected into the irrigation line and was applied with overhead drip irrigation using micro sprays. This is seedling production in a greenhouse in Kosovo. Benches were created using bales of straw. |
Background. Fertilizer injectors were
designed primarily for agriculture and commercial horticulture use where one type
of plant is grown or plants grown with similar water and fertilizer
requirements. Their primary purpose was to save the cost in applying fertilizer.
Several types of injectors are
available for home landscapes in a range of prices. The primary difference in
these injectors is their level of precision. Most inexpensive homeowner fertilizer injectors operate on the “venturi effect”. The venturi effect pulls a concentrated fertilizer solution from a bucket or small tank into a stream of water. This stream of water might be in a hose or an irrigation line. The principle of the venturi effect is used in some automated pool cleaners, wine aerators, recoilless rifles and in the pressure regulator for scuba gear.
You can watch how the Venturi effect works in irrigation lines in this video from Jain Irrigation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGlZLwvI6PY
The venturi effect causes concentrated fertilizer solution to mix into the stream of irrigation water. You can operate your injector to apply fertilizer continuously or periodically on a fixed schedule; once a month; once every three months, spring and summer, etc. If you put fertilizer in the injector, it will fertilize. If you don’t, it won’t.
Advantages and Disadvantages. The primary advantage to the
homeowner is less labor which saves time. Some may argue it also saves the
homeowner money and the landscape looks better. Both are arguable but I don’t
think anyone can argue it is not a timesaver. I will go into more detail on my
blog.
The primary disadvantage for
homeowners is that all plants which receive water at the same time also receive
the same kind of fertilizer. When fertilizing plants by hand, you have the
option of giving them different types of fertilizers, not all the same kind.
Plants which receive more water
also receive more fertilizer and the reverse is true. The application of
fertilizer in precise amounts should also require a very efficient irrigation
system. These go hand in hand.
based upon the saving of time and labor. All of the other points are arguable
and may or may not apply.
Operating Your System. Leaving water with fertilizer in it in your irrigation lines for more than a few days can lead to algal, fungal and bacterial growth. It is best to apply fertilizer and allow fresh water to clean the irrigation lines after the fertilizer has been applied. Make sure there is a screen filter downstream of your fertilizer injector to prevent plugging of your drip emitters.